Diary of John's journey to South Africa
Title
Diary of John's journey to South Africa
Description
A description of travelling in convoy on the Highland Princess with 1,700 other Royal Air Force and British Army personnel covering the period 13 April 1942 to 20 May 1942. Including details of the onboard conditions, weather, a stopover, gun duty, attending lectures and wildlife sightings.
The writer left UK waters from port unknown on board the Troop ship Highland Princess (Royal Mail Line). He tells of the cramped and difficult conditions onboard making a big thing of slinging his hammock which stays still while the ship moves round it. Manning guns in various cockpits round the ship. All the time his thoughts are of home and all the good things in life he was leaving behind. The ship was part of a convoy, the sea state leaving most of passengers seasick. He tells of the escort destroyers searching for and depth charging enemy submarines. Life got better after he found where to obtain cigs, chocolate and tinned fruit. The weather gradually got warmer when a swim in the ships pool, boxing contests. Highland Princess eventually dropped anchor in Freetown after almost three weeks at sea.
Includes sketches, lists of aircraft identification numbers and notes of expenditure.
The writer left UK waters from port unknown on board the Troop ship Highland Princess (Royal Mail Line). He tells of the cramped and difficult conditions onboard making a big thing of slinging his hammock which stays still while the ship moves round it. Manning guns in various cockpits round the ship. All the time his thoughts are of home and all the good things in life he was leaving behind. The ship was part of a convoy, the sea state leaving most of passengers seasick. He tells of the escort destroyers searching for and depth charging enemy submarines. Life got better after he found where to obtain cigs, chocolate and tinned fruit. The weather gradually got warmer when a swim in the ships pool, boxing contests. Highland Princess eventually dropped anchor in Freetown after almost three weeks at sea.
Includes sketches, lists of aircraft identification numbers and notes of expenditure.
Creator
Date
1942-04
1942-05
Language
Format
Handwritten pages from a notebook
Publisher
Rights
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
YSaundersJWG1324708v1
Transcription
[inserted] 13th – 4 – 42 [/inserted]
Sailed at 7.15 on Highland Princess after 13 hr journey from B to B Conditions are very crowded although she is a large ship (14000 tons) One of the chief difficulties we met up with was with hammock We are all in a converted [deleted word] hold and sling our hammocks between the [deleted word] hooks. Things are so crowded that all hammocks are touching so that once settled one can’t move without disturbing the others. Jim had a spot of bother when his strings broke quite unexpectedly, [inserted] much to everybody’s amusement [/inserted] and from then on he treated his hammock somewhat [deleted word] warilly [sic]
[page break]
We all spent a very cold night as we had not got the knack of folding the blankets. Washing too is very cramped and to make it worse the water is only turned on at certain times and the only successful way of getting a wash was to fill ones water bottle, rise early before the others and half stoop and crawl underneath the many hammocks to the wash-rooms.
14th We awoke to find the boat pitching and rolling in a heavy swell. Some of the fellows suffered from sea sickness but very few considering the number on board
[page break]
seemed [deleted letters] difficult to believe that this was the last I should see of the 3 B.1 till the end of the war.
I moved down below to sling my hammock, and then returned with Ken & Jim to watch the sun go down. My thoughts wandered and I thought of home. Audrey and all the good things of life I was leaving behind. The sun was now just about to go down, and for a few minutes the sea turned to a light green except for the red reflection of the sun which stretched from the ship to the purple [deleted] mountains [/deleted] hills beyond and as the sun went down
[page break]
I made my way rather sadly with the others down to the hold.
16th. I awoke to find Jim, who was next to me sleeping quietly. Having risen and folded my hammock and Ken having done same, found Jim still sleeping [inserted] soundly [/inserted] and decided to wake him by tipping him out. After much struggling against the stiff resistance put up by Jim [inserted] then wide awake [/inserted] and with roars of laughter we succeeded
To-day may be more interesting as a number of us volunteered for machine gun guards, and had been told yesterday that we were due for some lectures. Sure enough lectures started. We had a young Pilot Officer who was a very
[page break]
decent fellow and most interesting although he had not been on any opporational [sic] flights. In the afternoon there was a heavy swell that grew worse towards evening and all the ships in the convoy were pitching and rolling badly. There weren’t very many [deleted] that [/deleted] who were not sea sick, and the ship was in a terrible condition, so far I had not been sea sick.
Everybody was getting irritable owing to cramped conditions that had been worsened by the cutting off of two decks, so that now Sergeants and above had the Prom deck and the boat deck (the two largest) and
[page break]
some 1700 men had two small decks below.
17th. Had P.T. after breakfast, far too soon after breakfast actually. Anyway it did warm us all up and it was quite good fun. In the afternoon we had further lectures, which were just formal talks, and we all shot questions at our young Pilot Officer. There was a spot of excitement in the late afternoon when one of our escort, a destroyer was seen to go racing across the horizon and drop several depth charges, then turn sharply and drop several more, [deleted] and [/deleted]
After repeating this [deleted] movement [/deleted]
[page break]
7/
manouver [sic], things returned to normal. Whether the [deleted] ship [/deleted] sub was sunk or not I don’t know. In the evening I ventured on to the promenade deck, and much to my surprise was allowed to stay there. Having met a pal on the deck we had a walk round it, and after eleven times round which completed a mile, went below to turn in.
[underlined] Our quarters. [/underlined]
As I stated before, we were in a converted hold. Down each side of this hold [inserted] were [/inserted] many long tables. To each table 18 men were allotted, giving them a total space of six feet by twenty in which they have to eat and sleep.
[page break]
8
The hammocks are slung from the hooks above the table and as can be well imagined things were a [underlined] trifle [/underlined] crowded. We all had quite a bit of trouble when putting the blankets on the hammocks
Having placed the blankets over the hammock one proceeded to get in by grabbing a bar on the ceiling and heaving oneself into it. Generally speaking just as you got yourself nicely balanced on top of it, the B.– blankets would slide off on to the floor, and with muffled curses one would have to start all over again. Meanwhile everybody else in your immediate vicinity would be letting up
[page break]
9/
at you for rolling them about. As heads and feet were touching there was little room for moving.
[deleted] Having [/deleted] However having replaced the blankets, one proceeded to make another attempt. This time the blankets decided to stay on, and have one proceeded to perform one of the most remarkable acrobatic feats. While holding on to the ceiling with one hand, one proceeded desperately to spread the hammock out underneath with the other. This manouvre [sic] completed you found that you [deleted] were [/deleted] had now sank nicely into the hammock, but during ones struggles the blankets had slipped into a heap into the
[page break]
10
middle of the hammock, so with more strong language you pulled the heaped up blankets over yourself as [inserted] best [/inserted] you could, and spent a cold and uncomfortable night.
[underlined] 18th [/underlined] Was an unentful [sic] day until we were due to go on the machine guns at 4 oclock until 7.30. These guns were Hotchkiss light automatics and were mounted in cockpits [deleted] up [/deleted] out and above the bridge and it was damned cold as one was completely exposed to wind and rain. Other than this nothing of interest.
[underlined] 19th [/underlined] Jim and I had our turn at mess Orderly which was a dirty job. One had to queue up for food at the galley for
[page break]
With the ship rolling and pitching as it was we found walking very difficult, and all felt semi drunk. It was most peculiar to be walking along and suddenly be shot forward [deleted] twenty [/deleted] [inserted] a few [/inserted] yards as the ship pitched forward and to be just as suddenly brought to a halt as the deck seemingly came up to hit you on the ships return I was introduced to the better side of life aboard when I found out where to get cigs, chocolate and tinned fruit in unlimited quantities.
15th
Arrived at mouth of 2c
[page break]
and dropped anchor after sailing a short distance up.
Escort nearly hit mine on journey up. Tanker San Victorio passed us (refer Dad) Moved out at 18.00 hours. After tea I went out on deck to take my last look at 3s as we steamed over the smooth 2c with ships of all types in front and behind. The water glistened in the late evening sunshine, and excentuated [sic] the foamy white [deleted] look whiter than snow [/deleted] bow wave that spread and stretch far behind us, in fact everything was so quiet and peaceful that it
[page break]
the other 16 fellows in the mess wash up and clean and sweep everything in the mess. We got ourselves covered in dirty water and grease, as it is no easy business climbing up and down slippery ladders with pails full of garbage and dirty water.
However in the afternoon we managed to bribe a fellow who was broke to do the other two meals for us. Much to our relief. In the evening I saw a Swordfish aircraft take of [sic] from a Cruiser (part of our escort) and land an hour or so later after several high bounces off the sea before setting down.
[page break]
20th. Uneventful day. Wrote letters home in the evening also wrote to Audrey.
21th. Crew began work on swimming bath for the approaching hot weather. In the morning Jim and I were on gun duty on the highest gun turret on the ship. The wind was very fierce but also warm. This however turned out to be the prelude to a gale, which came upon the convoy in the late afternoon, and the ship rolled badly.
However she weathered it very well considering the high sea that was running.
22nd
Weather was warming up
[page break]
in [sic] was like a furnace, and when we went down for meals [deleted] perspiration [/deleted] everybody dripped with perspiration. We were now allowed two bottles of Lemonade a day which was very refreshing. Water was luke warm and not very refreshing, when one could be bothered to queue up for it.
3rd I noticed that the boarding steps were up and everything was ready for leaving.
Sure enough at 10.30 we started to move slowly through the many ships, aircraft carriers, battle cruisers, destroyers included, and so the large
[page break]
convoy was on its way. We [deleted word] went slowly at first until the convoy had got into its proper formation, and ships that were behind had caught up.
Once the ship had got going we had the sea breeze again which was very refreshing after the sultry heat in Freetown harbour.
In the evening I again slept on deck with the others.
I found it difficult to get to sleep however, as I had got a throbbing ache over my left eye which had been troubling me for the past two days.
4th In the morning
[page break]
At four oclock there was a ships concert, the first one I had been able to attend. It was very good indeed, mainly due to the efforts [deleted] young [/deleted] of a young Observer Pilot Officer who got all the concerts up. In the morning D.R.O’s were put up to prepare us for the hot weather. We were to be allowed to sleep on deck.
All Tropical [deleted] kip [/deleted] kit was to be made ready by Friday, so we knew we were nearing our [deleted] destination [/deleted] port of call.
23rd. Uneventful day. Changed only by the swim in the ships pool, which was situated in the forward well. It was very enjoyable and most
[page break]
refreshing.
That night the Air Force was to be allowed to sleep on deck. So up trooped the four of us (Jim Ken Lofty and myself) to the top deck. We though [sic] it would be rather a good idea to string our hammocks underneath one of the gun turrets. However we soon found out that the idea was not so bright as we had first thought, because the vibration was so terrific that we had to resort to the deck, which was hard and uncomfortable. Even so the pleasant change of sleeping in the fresh air beneath a starlit sky made up for the discomfort. At 3.45 however
[page break]
I was awakened by drops of water falling on my face, and realised that it was raining.
So with the others I made my way down below, and so ended what might have been a pleasant night.
[underlined] 24th [/underlined] We had our lemonade ration at lunch time. In the afternoon boxers had a spar in a ring rigged up in the storm well, in preparation for a boxing contest on the morrow.
In the evening I again set off with my hammock to the top deck, only to be awakened again by rain, and once I went below with the others.
[underlined] 25th [/underlined] [deleted] Lecture by a pilot [/deleted]
[page break]
25th.
There was a lecture given by a Pilot Officer on conditions in Rhodesia, which was very interesting and encouraging. In the afternoon, I with Jim and Ken sat out on deck in the sun and waited for the boxing contest to begin.
While sitting and chatting we watched innumerable flying fish skimming the water a great speed, looking more like birds than fish with their silvery ‘wings’. They were about 4” to 6” long and looked very small.
26th. This day was very hot and orders were to wear our Topee”s and we were very glad of them.
I was on gun duty from 4 to 7hrs
[page break]
in the morning and from 13 to 17 hrs in the afternoon, and although the sun was beating down on the exposed turret, the Topee kept my head beautifully cool.
After my guard was over I went down to look at the continuation of the boxing contest which was very good. Practically the whole of the troops on board were gathered round the ring, which was in the [deleted] forward [/deleted] storm well, and looking from above I could see just a mass of Topee’s ranging from the well right up to the top deck. The Air Force was the most prominent with the colours in the side of their Topee’s.
[page break]
After the boxing which was very good I went down to tea, after which with the others strolled round the deck, and sat and listened to the bagpipes of the Scotch Regiment aboard. They play every evening and get rather tedious sometimes. Before they had finished I went to bed.
[deleted] 28th To-day nothing unusual occurred, except for a severe lecture by the C.O. about smoking and lighting matches during the hours of darkness.
We are informed that a senior N.C.O was being Court Marshalled for giving permission for a man to smoke and strike [/deleted]
[page break]
[deleted] a match. [/deleted]
During gun watch Jim who followed me on the port Hotchkiss saw several whales about a hundred yards off the port side of the ship. They were about twelve feet long.
28th. Uneventful day except for Brains Trust in the evening which was very interesting and amusing.
[underlined] 29th. [/underlined] At 11 oclock the convoy steamed into 1F its first stop. This proved to be the most interesting part of the voyage, and every body was glad to see dry land again.
As my ship drew slowly into the harbour it passed small Islands with small thatched houses
[page break]
dotted here and there among the many Palm trees, [deleted] and [/deleted] It was not long before we sighted [deleted word] 1F [deleted word] with its rather unus[inserted]u[/inserted]ally designed houses, blocks of flats and churches.
The point that struck me most was the way the town was spread out. It stretched from its [deleted] many [/deleted] densely clustered buildings near the sea, and stretched gradually thinning out to the hills in the background.
The town to all appearances had no design, and here and there the larger red roofed buildings stood out behind the small thatched rooved [sic] dwellings, and native huts.
[page break]
As we drew abreast of the town, I noticed dozens of small native canoes [inserted] with occupants [/inserted] waiting for us to pass by, and waving spear shaped [deleted] canoes [/deleted][inserted] paddles [/inserted] in acknowledgement of our waves.
The ship eventually dropped anchor in the harbour beyond [deleted] and out of sight of [/deleted] Freetown.
After lunch we were amused by native boys in Bimboats trying to sell us fruit (which we had been informed we must not buy, because of disease) and diving for pennies.
The climate in the harbour was oppressively hot once we had stopped moving and the thought that we might have to
[page break]
spend five days here was not a pleasant one.
The rest of the convoy had now steamed in to the harbour and there were dozens of ships of all sizes and shapes. Rising from the [inserted] most [/inserted] humble [deleted letters] tramp, to thirty thousand tons luxury liners, and in among them fast motor launches sped hither and thither , and planes flew low over the water zigzaging [sic] [deleted word] through the many ships.
In the evening for the second time running, we secured our hammocks to steel hawsers, and then settled down on deck to
[page break]
watch the twinkling lights of Freetown, and the lights all around the harbour. There was a full moon, and it was most refreshing to sit and smoke without having to worry about black-out.
At half-past nine [deleted] we [/deleted] I turned in with my pals, and it really was grand to lie beneath the moon with the sea breeze (which had now sprung up) gently rocking my hammock. So I settled down to a really comfortable nights sleep.
[underlined] 30th. [/underlined] Soon after breakfast we had our first taste of Tropical rain. It came down
[page break]
so heavily that it was only possible to see about a hundred yards through it, and with such force that snapped the masts of native sailing boats that were unfortunate enough to get caught in it. However the rain only lasted a few hours.
In the evening at 7.30 we went up onto the boat deck, and found that the boats had been swung in, so we had to settle down on the deck. Again I was struck by the many [deleted letters] lighted boats looking like skeleton craft with their many lighted port-holes
[page break]
and the reflection of the full moon over the mouth of the river.
I strolled round the decks among the many sleeping men.
Hammocks were slung in the most remarkable places, anywhere where there was space to tie a rope, between winches, boats, cables, rails [inserted] & [/inserted] under gun turrets, while hundreds of others sprawled on the hard decks. The five hundred men odd who had disembarked during the day in “invasion barges”, had not made any noticeable difference.
[page break]
1st Today opened with a clear sky and the sun was very hot. Before breakfast the Highland Princess drew in alongside a converted Whaler for refueling [sic], and stayed there for the whole of the day, otherwise nothing of interest occurred.
2nd This was an uneventful day.
Launches of all discriptions [sic] visited us during the day. Some some [sic] bringing officers aboard others taking off luggage, and taking officers and men ashore
The climate is very hot. Everybody was wringing in perspiration, and everything and everybody was hot and clammy.
The hold which we were
[page break]
I reported sick, and went to see the M.O. at 9.30 hrs, and had a nose douch [sic] and a couple of aspirins, after which I sat on deck.
The convoy was now once again in the beautiful deep blue of the Atlantic, having left the dirty green sea close to the shore.
In the evening I called again to see the M.O. at 17.00 hrs and had my first treatment repeated.
At 19.30 hrs we went up on to the boat deck to prepare for bed, but at 21.00 hrs we had some heavy tropical rain
[page break]
which came down like a waterfall soaking everything.
It blew right under the awnings where we were sleeping so we had to chase down to the hot hold and spend the night there.
5th [deleted] V [/deleted] We had our first lecture by the new instructors. The first since the P.O.s had disembarked at 2F, and was on the Link Trainer and its importance to us. Otherwise it was an uneventful day.
6th After a fairly comfortable night I had
[page break]
breakfast and went up on deck, to see my first Shark just below the surface with only its’ fins above water
In the afternoon the great event took place, the crossing of the Equator ceremony, which was very amusing. The lowest ranks to the highest ranks were ducked.
The officers having an extra special dunking.
First of all Father Neptune his “wife” the Court Clerk, followed by Policemen [deleted] and [/deleted] the official “duckers”, Barber and assistants.
The first fellow they put through it was the Company
[page break]
Sergeant Major. After the Court Clerk had read out in a loud voice the incriminating evidence, he was ([deleted] (put on a) [/deleted]) made to sit on a tilting seat on the edge of the ships pool, there to be lathered shaved & a piece of soap forced into his mouth. He was then shot backwards into the pool to be well and truly ducked by the official duckers. There were a half dozen or so “duckers” so resistance was hopeless.
I however was not ducked luckily, as clothes
[page break]
are short, and the fellows that were ducked went in, shirts shorts shoes and everything.
[underlined] 7th. [/underlined] This was a normal day until the afternoon, when we had a tug-owar competion [sic] between the messes. Eight men were selected from each mess and I was one of them.
We won the first round which consisted of two pulls
The first pull lasted for about two minutes. The second however was much easier. The rest of the rounds are due to follow.
In the evening I had a look-out watch up in [inserted] the [/inserted] bow of the ship. After two hours
[page break]
up there I was told there was a mistake and wasn’t needed. So I went down to the hold to bed.
[underlined] 8th [/underlined] Uneventful day. I went sick, or [deleted word] should say I had a continuation of the treatment from yesterday, when I went sick with the same trouble as before. This time I hoped to get rid of it.
In the afternoon we had the continuation of the tug-o-war competition which we lost, and were knocked out. A team of R.E’S won it. They had some very heavy men and carried everything before them.
[page break]
9th Was quite a normal day. A measles epidemic was spreading in our hold, and we were all getting worried.
If we caught it, it would mean the suspending of our course, and we would have to go straight in to quarantine on landing. This wasn’t a very pleasant [underlined] thought [/underlined] either.
Conditions on board the ship were not everything to be desired as I have stated before.
There was considerable lifting of other peoples kit going on.
My cap was taken early on in the voyage, to be returned about a fortnight later. I also lost my towel. Finding it gone
[page break]
I took somebody elses, and since then I’ve had three different towels. So it went on until there was hardly anything you could call your own. Mugs had to be locked up as they used to disappear daily. Irons and life-belts you daren’t turn your back on, or they were gone.
Mess orderlies had a tough time of it too (I had stopped bribing as money was too precious) Having to stagger from the galley on a moving deck with cans full of food and hot tea was no easy matter. After
[page break]
accomplishing this they have to make their way [inserted] down [/inserted] wet slippery stairs into the hold.
Invariably one would hear a clang and clatter at least once [inserted] or twice [/inserted] a day and a confused red faced fellow would appear with only half his messes dinner in the cans, and the rest over himself.
[underlined] Everybody was [deleted] getting [/deleted] [/underlined] browned off with the voyage, and were longing to get off this tub.
One day seemed much the same as another, and life was very monotonous.
9th I had a rotten cough and in the evening I had a
[page break]
temperature and decided to see M.O. in the morning if things did’nt improve.
[deleted] Otherwise there was nothing worthy of mention [/deleted]
[deleted] [underlined] 10th [/underlined] [/deleted] D.R.O.’s stated that we would leave our Topee’s off on the 11th and also that we were to go back into blue on the same date. The weather definitely was cooler and nobody had any objection to [deleted] that [/deleted] those orders.
10th Uneventful day. Saw M.O.
11th Kite targets were flown for gun practice. Went into blue.
12th In the afternoon there was another boxing contest R.A.F. averses [sic]
[page break]
Army. The Army won 10 points to 8. In the evening I had a guard duty 2 hrs on 4 off on the weather deck, on the front of the ship.
13th Uneventful
14th Uneventful. Lecture on security.
15. Two alarms. One flak ship and a cargo vessel were sunk by mines. Had irons swiped.
16th F.F.I. Convoy stopped at 11.30 to receive message from a distant ship. The Convoy then carried on and the warship joined us later. Otherwise uneventful day.
17th. Uneventful day.
[inserted] 18th uneventful [/inserted]
19th Sighted land at at [sic] 9.00 and knew at last that we were near the end of the journey
We docked at Durban
[page break]
In the evening at 6 oclock I got a shore pass after a lot of trouble, and went straight to see the Tunaly’s There I received a really warm welcome, and I was glad to see somebody I knew after such along time. Babs and her boy friend ran me around in his car, and we visited a roadhouse where there was open air dancing. It was really grand. It was good to see the lights of Durban, and buy fresh fruit. I had to leave at 11.45 and go back to the ship
20th. In the morning we boarded the train for Rhodesia, and passed through some very interesting country. At two stations we were presented with fruit, books, cigs & cakes, & tea. The people were very good to us.
[page break]
[calculations]
[symbol]
New glass on watch
[deleted] Clasp Knife [/deleted]
Bone buttons
Clasp knife
Have camera [indecipherable word] or get adhesive tape black
[page break]
[list of numbers]
[sketch] [list of numbers] [calculations] [sketch]
[inverted] [a] /Date [b] Season [c] Cloths [d] Spare.
[a] 16/2/41 [b] £1-12-6 [c] 2-9-7 [d] 3-11-6. [/inverted]
[page break]
[list of numbers] [sketch] [list of numbers]
[sketch]
[inverted] Joyce owes 1/6 Photo
Dad owes 1/3 [indecipherable words] [/inverted]
[page break]
[underlined] Dad owes 5/- for Season. [/underlined]
[calculations]
Deducted £1 deposit for suit
Deducted £[indecipherable numbers and words]
[calculations]
[list of numbers]
[sketch]
[page break]
[underlined] Date Season Cloths Spare [/underlined]
[list of expenses]
[calculations]
[page break]
[inverted] [list of expenses]
1 Towel
1 Pare [sic] Pants S.WT
[deleted] 4 Collars [/deleted]
1 Pare [sic] Pants Wool
1 Vest [symbol]
1 Pare [sic] Socks
[deleted] 1 Shirt Blue [/deleted]
1 Shirt Kd.
1 Pare [sic] Kd Shorts
2 Hankerchiefs [sic] [/inverted]
[page break]
1860
TOP dead centre.
High tension current at [indecipherable word] points.
At present I am in a large hall with about a hundred other fellows. Soon we will move into one of the new grass huts which sounds rather primitive but actually they are well built, and ideal for this weather. There are sleeping huts and lecture huts.
[sketch] Wondering why the L.A.C
[page break]
[list of numbers]
You will have no difficulty with [deleted word] the Rhodesian. Like that of be [indecipherable word] on our own standards on money [indecipherable words] ca
All cars out here are huge American ones. A lot of the roads consist of two concrete tracks just the width of the car, and you drive into the rough when a car comes the
[page break]
[inverted] [list of expenses]
[calculations]
[page break]
From 17 May 1940 John pays 6/6 weekly for Season Ticket & 2/6 weekly towards clothes
From 5 Oct. 40 John pays 9/- weekly for Season & clothes money, 5/- from Mum
From 12 Oct 40 John pays 10/9 weekly for Season & clothes money, 5/- from Mum.
[calculations]
Away per week 19-3
[page break]
[list of expenses]
[calculations]
[page break]
[deleted] AS HE FLE [/deleted]
The [indecipherable word] as he was clc
[list of letters]
[list of times and numbers]
[page break]
[indecipherable words]
119B
27 14 4
Duky and Mich
Sailed at 7.15 on Highland Princess after 13 hr journey from B to B Conditions are very crowded although she is a large ship (14000 tons) One of the chief difficulties we met up with was with hammock We are all in a converted [deleted word] hold and sling our hammocks between the [deleted word] hooks. Things are so crowded that all hammocks are touching so that once settled one can’t move without disturbing the others. Jim had a spot of bother when his strings broke quite unexpectedly, [inserted] much to everybody’s amusement [/inserted] and from then on he treated his hammock somewhat [deleted word] warilly [sic]
[page break]
We all spent a very cold night as we had not got the knack of folding the blankets. Washing too is very cramped and to make it worse the water is only turned on at certain times and the only successful way of getting a wash was to fill ones water bottle, rise early before the others and half stoop and crawl underneath the many hammocks to the wash-rooms.
14th We awoke to find the boat pitching and rolling in a heavy swell. Some of the fellows suffered from sea sickness but very few considering the number on board
[page break]
seemed [deleted letters] difficult to believe that this was the last I should see of the 3 B.1 till the end of the war.
I moved down below to sling my hammock, and then returned with Ken & Jim to watch the sun go down. My thoughts wandered and I thought of home. Audrey and all the good things of life I was leaving behind. The sun was now just about to go down, and for a few minutes the sea turned to a light green except for the red reflection of the sun which stretched from the ship to the purple [deleted] mountains [/deleted] hills beyond and as the sun went down
[page break]
I made my way rather sadly with the others down to the hold.
16th. I awoke to find Jim, who was next to me sleeping quietly. Having risen and folded my hammock and Ken having done same, found Jim still sleeping [inserted] soundly [/inserted] and decided to wake him by tipping him out. After much struggling against the stiff resistance put up by Jim [inserted] then wide awake [/inserted] and with roars of laughter we succeeded
To-day may be more interesting as a number of us volunteered for machine gun guards, and had been told yesterday that we were due for some lectures. Sure enough lectures started. We had a young Pilot Officer who was a very
[page break]
decent fellow and most interesting although he had not been on any opporational [sic] flights. In the afternoon there was a heavy swell that grew worse towards evening and all the ships in the convoy were pitching and rolling badly. There weren’t very many [deleted] that [/deleted] who were not sea sick, and the ship was in a terrible condition, so far I had not been sea sick.
Everybody was getting irritable owing to cramped conditions that had been worsened by the cutting off of two decks, so that now Sergeants and above had the Prom deck and the boat deck (the two largest) and
[page break]
some 1700 men had two small decks below.
17th. Had P.T. after breakfast, far too soon after breakfast actually. Anyway it did warm us all up and it was quite good fun. In the afternoon we had further lectures, which were just formal talks, and we all shot questions at our young Pilot Officer. There was a spot of excitement in the late afternoon when one of our escort, a destroyer was seen to go racing across the horizon and drop several depth charges, then turn sharply and drop several more, [deleted] and [/deleted]
After repeating this [deleted] movement [/deleted]
[page break]
7/
manouver [sic], things returned to normal. Whether the [deleted] ship [/deleted] sub was sunk or not I don’t know. In the evening I ventured on to the promenade deck, and much to my surprise was allowed to stay there. Having met a pal on the deck we had a walk round it, and after eleven times round which completed a mile, went below to turn in.
[underlined] Our quarters. [/underlined]
As I stated before, we were in a converted hold. Down each side of this hold [inserted] were [/inserted] many long tables. To each table 18 men were allotted, giving them a total space of six feet by twenty in which they have to eat and sleep.
[page break]
8
The hammocks are slung from the hooks above the table and as can be well imagined things were a [underlined] trifle [/underlined] crowded. We all had quite a bit of trouble when putting the blankets on the hammocks
Having placed the blankets over the hammock one proceeded to get in by grabbing a bar on the ceiling and heaving oneself into it. Generally speaking just as you got yourself nicely balanced on top of it, the B.– blankets would slide off on to the floor, and with muffled curses one would have to start all over again. Meanwhile everybody else in your immediate vicinity would be letting up
[page break]
9/
at you for rolling them about. As heads and feet were touching there was little room for moving.
[deleted] Having [/deleted] However having replaced the blankets, one proceeded to make another attempt. This time the blankets decided to stay on, and have one proceeded to perform one of the most remarkable acrobatic feats. While holding on to the ceiling with one hand, one proceeded desperately to spread the hammock out underneath with the other. This manouvre [sic] completed you found that you [deleted] were [/deleted] had now sank nicely into the hammock, but during ones struggles the blankets had slipped into a heap into the
[page break]
10
middle of the hammock, so with more strong language you pulled the heaped up blankets over yourself as [inserted] best [/inserted] you could, and spent a cold and uncomfortable night.
[underlined] 18th [/underlined] Was an unentful [sic] day until we were due to go on the machine guns at 4 oclock until 7.30. These guns were Hotchkiss light automatics and were mounted in cockpits [deleted] up [/deleted] out and above the bridge and it was damned cold as one was completely exposed to wind and rain. Other than this nothing of interest.
[underlined] 19th [/underlined] Jim and I had our turn at mess Orderly which was a dirty job. One had to queue up for food at the galley for
[page break]
With the ship rolling and pitching as it was we found walking very difficult, and all felt semi drunk. It was most peculiar to be walking along and suddenly be shot forward [deleted] twenty [/deleted] [inserted] a few [/inserted] yards as the ship pitched forward and to be just as suddenly brought to a halt as the deck seemingly came up to hit you on the ships return I was introduced to the better side of life aboard when I found out where to get cigs, chocolate and tinned fruit in unlimited quantities.
15th
Arrived at mouth of 2c
[page break]
and dropped anchor after sailing a short distance up.
Escort nearly hit mine on journey up. Tanker San Victorio passed us (refer Dad) Moved out at 18.00 hours. After tea I went out on deck to take my last look at 3s as we steamed over the smooth 2c with ships of all types in front and behind. The water glistened in the late evening sunshine, and excentuated [sic] the foamy white [deleted] look whiter than snow [/deleted] bow wave that spread and stretch far behind us, in fact everything was so quiet and peaceful that it
[page break]
the other 16 fellows in the mess wash up and clean and sweep everything in the mess. We got ourselves covered in dirty water and grease, as it is no easy business climbing up and down slippery ladders with pails full of garbage and dirty water.
However in the afternoon we managed to bribe a fellow who was broke to do the other two meals for us. Much to our relief. In the evening I saw a Swordfish aircraft take of [sic] from a Cruiser (part of our escort) and land an hour or so later after several high bounces off the sea before setting down.
[page break]
20th. Uneventful day. Wrote letters home in the evening also wrote to Audrey.
21th. Crew began work on swimming bath for the approaching hot weather. In the morning Jim and I were on gun duty on the highest gun turret on the ship. The wind was very fierce but also warm. This however turned out to be the prelude to a gale, which came upon the convoy in the late afternoon, and the ship rolled badly.
However she weathered it very well considering the high sea that was running.
22nd
Weather was warming up
[page break]
in [sic] was like a furnace, and when we went down for meals [deleted] perspiration [/deleted] everybody dripped with perspiration. We were now allowed two bottles of Lemonade a day which was very refreshing. Water was luke warm and not very refreshing, when one could be bothered to queue up for it.
3rd I noticed that the boarding steps were up and everything was ready for leaving.
Sure enough at 10.30 we started to move slowly through the many ships, aircraft carriers, battle cruisers, destroyers included, and so the large
[page break]
convoy was on its way. We [deleted word] went slowly at first until the convoy had got into its proper formation, and ships that were behind had caught up.
Once the ship had got going we had the sea breeze again which was very refreshing after the sultry heat in Freetown harbour.
In the evening I again slept on deck with the others.
I found it difficult to get to sleep however, as I had got a throbbing ache over my left eye which had been troubling me for the past two days.
4th In the morning
[page break]
At four oclock there was a ships concert, the first one I had been able to attend. It was very good indeed, mainly due to the efforts [deleted] young [/deleted] of a young Observer Pilot Officer who got all the concerts up. In the morning D.R.O’s were put up to prepare us for the hot weather. We were to be allowed to sleep on deck.
All Tropical [deleted] kip [/deleted] kit was to be made ready by Friday, so we knew we were nearing our [deleted] destination [/deleted] port of call.
23rd. Uneventful day. Changed only by the swim in the ships pool, which was situated in the forward well. It was very enjoyable and most
[page break]
refreshing.
That night the Air Force was to be allowed to sleep on deck. So up trooped the four of us (Jim Ken Lofty and myself) to the top deck. We though [sic] it would be rather a good idea to string our hammocks underneath one of the gun turrets. However we soon found out that the idea was not so bright as we had first thought, because the vibration was so terrific that we had to resort to the deck, which was hard and uncomfortable. Even so the pleasant change of sleeping in the fresh air beneath a starlit sky made up for the discomfort. At 3.45 however
[page break]
I was awakened by drops of water falling on my face, and realised that it was raining.
So with the others I made my way down below, and so ended what might have been a pleasant night.
[underlined] 24th [/underlined] We had our lemonade ration at lunch time. In the afternoon boxers had a spar in a ring rigged up in the storm well, in preparation for a boxing contest on the morrow.
In the evening I again set off with my hammock to the top deck, only to be awakened again by rain, and once I went below with the others.
[underlined] 25th [/underlined] [deleted] Lecture by a pilot [/deleted]
[page break]
25th.
There was a lecture given by a Pilot Officer on conditions in Rhodesia, which was very interesting and encouraging. In the afternoon, I with Jim and Ken sat out on deck in the sun and waited for the boxing contest to begin.
While sitting and chatting we watched innumerable flying fish skimming the water a great speed, looking more like birds than fish with their silvery ‘wings’. They were about 4” to 6” long and looked very small.
26th. This day was very hot and orders were to wear our Topee”s and we were very glad of them.
I was on gun duty from 4 to 7hrs
[page break]
in the morning and from 13 to 17 hrs in the afternoon, and although the sun was beating down on the exposed turret, the Topee kept my head beautifully cool.
After my guard was over I went down to look at the continuation of the boxing contest which was very good. Practically the whole of the troops on board were gathered round the ring, which was in the [deleted] forward [/deleted] storm well, and looking from above I could see just a mass of Topee’s ranging from the well right up to the top deck. The Air Force was the most prominent with the colours in the side of their Topee’s.
[page break]
After the boxing which was very good I went down to tea, after which with the others strolled round the deck, and sat and listened to the bagpipes of the Scotch Regiment aboard. They play every evening and get rather tedious sometimes. Before they had finished I went to bed.
[deleted] 28th To-day nothing unusual occurred, except for a severe lecture by the C.O. about smoking and lighting matches during the hours of darkness.
We are informed that a senior N.C.O was being Court Marshalled for giving permission for a man to smoke and strike [/deleted]
[page break]
[deleted] a match. [/deleted]
During gun watch Jim who followed me on the port Hotchkiss saw several whales about a hundred yards off the port side of the ship. They were about twelve feet long.
28th. Uneventful day except for Brains Trust in the evening which was very interesting and amusing.
[underlined] 29th. [/underlined] At 11 oclock the convoy steamed into 1F its first stop. This proved to be the most interesting part of the voyage, and every body was glad to see dry land again.
As my ship drew slowly into the harbour it passed small Islands with small thatched houses
[page break]
dotted here and there among the many Palm trees, [deleted] and [/deleted] It was not long before we sighted [deleted word] 1F [deleted word] with its rather unus[inserted]u[/inserted]ally designed houses, blocks of flats and churches.
The point that struck me most was the way the town was spread out. It stretched from its [deleted] many [/deleted] densely clustered buildings near the sea, and stretched gradually thinning out to the hills in the background.
The town to all appearances had no design, and here and there the larger red roofed buildings stood out behind the small thatched rooved [sic] dwellings, and native huts.
[page break]
As we drew abreast of the town, I noticed dozens of small native canoes [inserted] with occupants [/inserted] waiting for us to pass by, and waving spear shaped [deleted] canoes [/deleted][inserted] paddles [/inserted] in acknowledgement of our waves.
The ship eventually dropped anchor in the harbour beyond [deleted] and out of sight of [/deleted] Freetown.
After lunch we were amused by native boys in Bimboats trying to sell us fruit (which we had been informed we must not buy, because of disease) and diving for pennies.
The climate in the harbour was oppressively hot once we had stopped moving and the thought that we might have to
[page break]
spend five days here was not a pleasant one.
The rest of the convoy had now steamed in to the harbour and there were dozens of ships of all sizes and shapes. Rising from the [inserted] most [/inserted] humble [deleted letters] tramp, to thirty thousand tons luxury liners, and in among them fast motor launches sped hither and thither , and planes flew low over the water zigzaging [sic] [deleted word] through the many ships.
In the evening for the second time running, we secured our hammocks to steel hawsers, and then settled down on deck to
[page break]
watch the twinkling lights of Freetown, and the lights all around the harbour. There was a full moon, and it was most refreshing to sit and smoke without having to worry about black-out.
At half-past nine [deleted] we [/deleted] I turned in with my pals, and it really was grand to lie beneath the moon with the sea breeze (which had now sprung up) gently rocking my hammock. So I settled down to a really comfortable nights sleep.
[underlined] 30th. [/underlined] Soon after breakfast we had our first taste of Tropical rain. It came down
[page break]
so heavily that it was only possible to see about a hundred yards through it, and with such force that snapped the masts of native sailing boats that were unfortunate enough to get caught in it. However the rain only lasted a few hours.
In the evening at 7.30 we went up onto the boat deck, and found that the boats had been swung in, so we had to settle down on the deck. Again I was struck by the many [deleted letters] lighted boats looking like skeleton craft with their many lighted port-holes
[page break]
and the reflection of the full moon over the mouth of the river.
I strolled round the decks among the many sleeping men.
Hammocks were slung in the most remarkable places, anywhere where there was space to tie a rope, between winches, boats, cables, rails [inserted] & [/inserted] under gun turrets, while hundreds of others sprawled on the hard decks. The five hundred men odd who had disembarked during the day in “invasion barges”, had not made any noticeable difference.
[page break]
1st Today opened with a clear sky and the sun was very hot. Before breakfast the Highland Princess drew in alongside a converted Whaler for refueling [sic], and stayed there for the whole of the day, otherwise nothing of interest occurred.
2nd This was an uneventful day.
Launches of all discriptions [sic] visited us during the day. Some some [sic] bringing officers aboard others taking off luggage, and taking officers and men ashore
The climate is very hot. Everybody was wringing in perspiration, and everything and everybody was hot and clammy.
The hold which we were
[page break]
I reported sick, and went to see the M.O. at 9.30 hrs, and had a nose douch [sic] and a couple of aspirins, after which I sat on deck.
The convoy was now once again in the beautiful deep blue of the Atlantic, having left the dirty green sea close to the shore.
In the evening I called again to see the M.O. at 17.00 hrs and had my first treatment repeated.
At 19.30 hrs we went up on to the boat deck to prepare for bed, but at 21.00 hrs we had some heavy tropical rain
[page break]
which came down like a waterfall soaking everything.
It blew right under the awnings where we were sleeping so we had to chase down to the hot hold and spend the night there.
5th [deleted] V [/deleted] We had our first lecture by the new instructors. The first since the P.O.s had disembarked at 2F, and was on the Link Trainer and its importance to us. Otherwise it was an uneventful day.
6th After a fairly comfortable night I had
[page break]
breakfast and went up on deck, to see my first Shark just below the surface with only its’ fins above water
In the afternoon the great event took place, the crossing of the Equator ceremony, which was very amusing. The lowest ranks to the highest ranks were ducked.
The officers having an extra special dunking.
First of all Father Neptune his “wife” the Court Clerk, followed by Policemen [deleted] and [/deleted] the official “duckers”, Barber and assistants.
The first fellow they put through it was the Company
[page break]
Sergeant Major. After the Court Clerk had read out in a loud voice the incriminating evidence, he was ([deleted] (put on a) [/deleted]) made to sit on a tilting seat on the edge of the ships pool, there to be lathered shaved & a piece of soap forced into his mouth. He was then shot backwards into the pool to be well and truly ducked by the official duckers. There were a half dozen or so “duckers” so resistance was hopeless.
I however was not ducked luckily, as clothes
[page break]
are short, and the fellows that were ducked went in, shirts shorts shoes and everything.
[underlined] 7th. [/underlined] This was a normal day until the afternoon, when we had a tug-owar competion [sic] between the messes. Eight men were selected from each mess and I was one of them.
We won the first round which consisted of two pulls
The first pull lasted for about two minutes. The second however was much easier. The rest of the rounds are due to follow.
In the evening I had a look-out watch up in [inserted] the [/inserted] bow of the ship. After two hours
[page break]
up there I was told there was a mistake and wasn’t needed. So I went down to the hold to bed.
[underlined] 8th [/underlined] Uneventful day. I went sick, or [deleted word] should say I had a continuation of the treatment from yesterday, when I went sick with the same trouble as before. This time I hoped to get rid of it.
In the afternoon we had the continuation of the tug-o-war competition which we lost, and were knocked out. A team of R.E’S won it. They had some very heavy men and carried everything before them.
[page break]
9th Was quite a normal day. A measles epidemic was spreading in our hold, and we were all getting worried.
If we caught it, it would mean the suspending of our course, and we would have to go straight in to quarantine on landing. This wasn’t a very pleasant [underlined] thought [/underlined] either.
Conditions on board the ship were not everything to be desired as I have stated before.
There was considerable lifting of other peoples kit going on.
My cap was taken early on in the voyage, to be returned about a fortnight later. I also lost my towel. Finding it gone
[page break]
I took somebody elses, and since then I’ve had three different towels. So it went on until there was hardly anything you could call your own. Mugs had to be locked up as they used to disappear daily. Irons and life-belts you daren’t turn your back on, or they were gone.
Mess orderlies had a tough time of it too (I had stopped bribing as money was too precious) Having to stagger from the galley on a moving deck with cans full of food and hot tea was no easy matter. After
[page break]
accomplishing this they have to make their way [inserted] down [/inserted] wet slippery stairs into the hold.
Invariably one would hear a clang and clatter at least once [inserted] or twice [/inserted] a day and a confused red faced fellow would appear with only half his messes dinner in the cans, and the rest over himself.
[underlined] Everybody was [deleted] getting [/deleted] [/underlined] browned off with the voyage, and were longing to get off this tub.
One day seemed much the same as another, and life was very monotonous.
9th I had a rotten cough and in the evening I had a
[page break]
temperature and decided to see M.O. in the morning if things did’nt improve.
[deleted] Otherwise there was nothing worthy of mention [/deleted]
[deleted] [underlined] 10th [/underlined] [/deleted] D.R.O.’s stated that we would leave our Topee’s off on the 11th and also that we were to go back into blue on the same date. The weather definitely was cooler and nobody had any objection to [deleted] that [/deleted] those orders.
10th Uneventful day. Saw M.O.
11th Kite targets were flown for gun practice. Went into blue.
12th In the afternoon there was another boxing contest R.A.F. averses [sic]
[page break]
Army. The Army won 10 points to 8. In the evening I had a guard duty 2 hrs on 4 off on the weather deck, on the front of the ship.
13th Uneventful
14th Uneventful. Lecture on security.
15. Two alarms. One flak ship and a cargo vessel were sunk by mines. Had irons swiped.
16th F.F.I. Convoy stopped at 11.30 to receive message from a distant ship. The Convoy then carried on and the warship joined us later. Otherwise uneventful day.
17th. Uneventful day.
[inserted] 18th uneventful [/inserted]
19th Sighted land at at [sic] 9.00 and knew at last that we were near the end of the journey
We docked at Durban
[page break]
In the evening at 6 oclock I got a shore pass after a lot of trouble, and went straight to see the Tunaly’s There I received a really warm welcome, and I was glad to see somebody I knew after such along time. Babs and her boy friend ran me around in his car, and we visited a roadhouse where there was open air dancing. It was really grand. It was good to see the lights of Durban, and buy fresh fruit. I had to leave at 11.45 and go back to the ship
20th. In the morning we boarded the train for Rhodesia, and passed through some very interesting country. At two stations we were presented with fruit, books, cigs & cakes, & tea. The people were very good to us.
[page break]
[calculations]
[symbol]
New glass on watch
[deleted] Clasp Knife [/deleted]
Bone buttons
Clasp knife
Have camera [indecipherable word] or get adhesive tape black
[page break]
[list of numbers]
[sketch] [list of numbers] [calculations] [sketch]
[inverted] [a] /Date [b] Season [c] Cloths [d] Spare.
[a] 16/2/41 [b] £1-12-6 [c] 2-9-7 [d] 3-11-6. [/inverted]
[page break]
[list of numbers] [sketch] [list of numbers]
[sketch]
[inverted] Joyce owes 1/6 Photo
Dad owes 1/3 [indecipherable words] [/inverted]
[page break]
[underlined] Dad owes 5/- for Season. [/underlined]
[calculations]
Deducted £1 deposit for suit
Deducted £[indecipherable numbers and words]
[calculations]
[list of numbers]
[sketch]
[page break]
[underlined] Date Season Cloths Spare [/underlined]
[list of expenses]
[calculations]
[page break]
[inverted] [list of expenses]
1 Towel
1 Pare [sic] Pants S.WT
[deleted] 4 Collars [/deleted]
1 Pare [sic] Pants Wool
1 Vest [symbol]
1 Pare [sic] Socks
[deleted] 1 Shirt Blue [/deleted]
1 Shirt Kd.
1 Pare [sic] Kd Shorts
2 Hankerchiefs [sic] [/inverted]
[page break]
1860
TOP dead centre.
High tension current at [indecipherable word] points.
At present I am in a large hall with about a hundred other fellows. Soon we will move into one of the new grass huts which sounds rather primitive but actually they are well built, and ideal for this weather. There are sleeping huts and lecture huts.
[sketch] Wondering why the L.A.C
[page break]
[list of numbers]
You will have no difficulty with [deleted word] the Rhodesian. Like that of be [indecipherable word] on our own standards on money [indecipherable words] ca
All cars out here are huge American ones. A lot of the roads consist of two concrete tracks just the width of the car, and you drive into the rough when a car comes the
[page break]
[inverted] [list of expenses]
[calculations]
[page break]
From 17 May 1940 John pays 6/6 weekly for Season Ticket & 2/6 weekly towards clothes
From 5 Oct. 40 John pays 9/- weekly for Season & clothes money, 5/- from Mum
From 12 Oct 40 John pays 10/9 weekly for Season & clothes money, 5/- from Mum.
[calculations]
Away per week 19-3
[page break]
[list of expenses]
[calculations]
[page break]
[deleted] AS HE FLE [/deleted]
The [indecipherable word] as he was clc
[list of letters]
[list of times and numbers]
[page break]
[indecipherable words]
119B
27 14 4
Duky and Mich
Collection
Citation
John Walter Gifford Saunders, “Diary of John's journey to South Africa,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed September 9, 2026, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/collections/document/44148.